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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 2: [Jiuli Insect Valley]
Chapter 52 (79): [The Seven Springs Trial Ground]
(52nd of Volume 2)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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The Medicinal Cuisine Hall, located on the eastern side of the Purple Forest, was quite spacious, with over a dozen sets of stone tables and chairs neatly arranged.
Medicinal Cuisine (Food)!
Made by simmering the blood of Strange Beasts with dozens of precious medicinal herbs, it was naturally not meant to be palatable. It was merely edible.
Yet after just one month of consuming it, everyone's physical strength and endurance had noticeably improved. Their energy was abundant and vigorous, and their Internal Force seemed inexhaustible.
....
For the entire month, Yao Yin had remained in her cave, practicing the Medicine King's Fundamental Martial Arts technique she had chosen: "The Heavenly Wind Palm Technique".
She slept no more than two hours each day.
The palm technique's spiritual Qi struck the cliff walls with resounding force, making it impossible for Li Weiyi to sleep. He was forced to join her in this relentless training.
The process of practicing martial arts techniques and practicing Breathing Techniques also served to temper the Veins within their bodies.
It was only with the aid of the medicinal cuisine that Yaoyin could push her body to such extreme limits, unlocking her physical potential without fear of collapse.
When one person strives relentlessly, everyone's pace is inevitably swept along.
Li Qing and the four Eight Springs Martial-Mystic Cultivators were also pushing themselves to the limit in the Silver Beach River Valley, diligently practicing the Nine Kings' Fundamental Martial Arts techniques they had chosen.
Across the valley, the younger, lower-level Martial-Mystic Cultivators were doing the same.
Hard work was merely the most basic and least significant requirement for success.
They were not just striving; they were fighting for their lives.
.....
Today's Medicinal Cuisine was quite special.
Throughout the brewing process, an intoxicating aroma filled the air.
Inside the Bronze Cauldron, the Medicinal Cuisine boiled incessantly, releasing a five-colored, smoke-like Medicinal Qi that illuminated the stone chamber with Treasure Light. Even before tasting it, everyone knew that the cauldron must contain numerous precious medicines.
The young Tiger-like Aberrant Humanoid, who cultivated the Thirty-Six Axes of the Heavenly Demon, noticed everyone's gaze fixed on the Bronze Cauldron and chuckled.
"Are you all anticipating this? The Hidden Sect is still too humane. Knowing this is your last meal, they've prepared a higher-quality Medicinal Cuisine to send you on your way."
In just one month, he had already cultivated the first axe of the Thirty-Six Axes of the Heavenly Demon to Heavenly Dao and Law Harmony Realm, refining several Silver Veins within his body. Naturally, he was brimming with confidence.
He couldn't imagine how much he would grow in a year.
A young Aberrant Humanoid child with Fifth Spring Opening, his voice still tender, piped up, "The higher your cultivation, the greater the danger of the trial. It's hard to say whose last meal this really is."
Every person seated here was a mortal enemy.
They naturally engaged in open hostility, dispensing with any pretense of courtesy or harmony.
.....
When the Treasure Light overflowing from the Cauldron reached its peak, the Old Man of Medicinal Cuisine instructed everyone to retrieve their portions.
The Medicinal Cuisine wasn't rationed.
As long as they didn't take more than they could eat or waste any, they could eat as much as their appetites allowed.
The Aberrant Humanoids, with their massive physiques, naturally had an advantage.
There was no help for it - even at the same cultivation level, Aberrant Humanoids were inherently stronger than ordinary humans.
Li Weiyi, as usual, first filled a large basin for the seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors.
The basin was no smaller than those used by Aberrant Humanoid Martial-Mystic Cultivators.
Over the past few days, the seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors had been eating non-stop, practically living in the Medicinal Cuisine Hall. Their bodies had noticeably grown.
But according to the Spirit Tablet Master, they needed to grow to two inches long before their combat strength could match a Five Seas Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivator.
Right now, they were only about an inch and a half.
.....
Three figures in black robes walked along the cobblestone path beneath the Psychic (Telekinesis) Stone Wall, arriving at the center of the Martial Arts Plaza outside the Medicinal Cuisine Hall. They watched the others, who were still finishing their final meal.
"Twenty-Fourth, I heard this batch is of exceptionally high quality. Who do you think will survive to the end?" Yin San, a Bear-like Aberrant Humanoid, who was as tall as Yao ZhengSheng, far larger than ordinary Aberrant Humanoids, and possessed innate divine strength.
Yin Ershisi (Twenty-Fourth Hidden One) said calmly, "Two of them are quite promising! One is Li Qing, a mortal with the Nine Springs and Ninety Meridian Veins. He just joined the Hidden Sect and can already withstand a blow from Yin Jiu's axe."
"The other is Yao Yin, granddaughter of the Yao Li Clan Chief. She possesses a Pure Immortal Physique. Both are formidable competitors!"
Not all Hidden Ones in the Hidden Sect live in seclusion. Once their cultivation reaches a certain level, many are dispatched on missions.
Some travel the world, seeking to establish a new identity.
Others infiltrate enemy factions, clans, or even the Lingxiao Palace.
While most Hidden Ones remain silent, there are dedicated Hidden Ones responsible for gathering information.
As a result, the Jiu Li Hidden Sect is no less informed about the outside world than the Jiu Li Dao Academy.
Yin Ershi Yi was surprised: "A Pure Immortal Physique, and the Clan Chief's granddaughter, sent to the Hidden Sect?"
"Rumor has it she has a health problem and came to the Hidden Sect seeking a chance for survival," Yin Ershisi replied.
Yin Ershi Wu, a slightly younger youth than Yin Ershisi, added, "I heard Yin Wu sent back some information related to this batch. Besides Li Qing, he specifically mentioned Li Weiyi. Have you heard about this?"
Yin Ershi San shook his head.
A look of confusion flashed in Yin Ershi Si's eyes.
'Yin Wu had remained silent for years, and the sudden message he sent back, mentioning someone, must mean this person is extraordinary.'
'It seems I have underestimated him.'
'Seven Springs?'
'Insect Tamer?'
After finishing their medicinal cuisine, the twenty-six young men and women gathered in the Martial Arts Plaza.
Yin Ershi San's voice boomed like thunder: "My name is Yin Ershi San. I arrived only three years earlier than you. I have bad news to share: the protection period ends now."
"You are free to use any means necessary to eliminate your competitors and make your survival easier. However, there is one ironclad rule: you may not harm any competitor whose cultivation is weaker than yours."
The Tiger-like Aberrant, an Eighth Spring Martial-Mystic Cultivator, spoke up: "So, we can only fight those at the same level. A weaker cultivator can't kill a stronger one. But if a weaker cultivator provokes me, can I kill him?"
"Of course," Yin Ershi San replied.
Li Qing scanned the crowd, his voice laced with menace: "Then let me warn you all now: don't come here to die. My sword is faster than it was a month ago, and it thirsts for blood."
Yin Ershi San announced, "I have more bad news to share. The trials officially begin now. Those who have opened the Nine Springs and those who have reached the Eight Springs Opening, follow me."
Yin Ershi Wu added, "Those below the Seven Springs, follow me."
After everyone had departed, Yin Ershi Si turned to Li Weiyi and Yao Yin, the only ones remaining: "Let's go!"
The three groups boarded their vessels at the edge of the Blood River, each bound for a different trial ground. They rode a flat-bottomed boat over ten meters long, drifting downstream with the current.
All three were taciturn by nature.
Yin Ershi Si stood at the bow, her back straight, though her slender frame belied her Five Seas Realm strength.
Yao Yin sat at the stern, her head bowed in thought, her entire body radiating a luminous white glow, her beauty a painting in itself.
Li Weiyi sat in the center of the boat.
He noticed the flat-bottomed boat was actually two smaller boats joined together by chains.
After drifting for dozens of miles, Yaoyin couldn't help but ask, "Am I going for the trial with him?"
"Those of the same realm naturally undergo the trial together. The Seven Springs Martial-Mystic Cultivators' trial ground is the gathering place of the Soldier-Level ferocious insect, the Flying Winged White Spider," Yin Ershi Si replied.
Yao Yin's small face grew serious. The protection period had already ended, and in this trial, the Flying Winged White Spiders might not be the most dangerous threat.
The small boat entered a narrow tributary of the underground river, only a few meters wide. With no luminous plants to illuminate the way, the darkness deepened.
Li Weiyi's brow began to glow, emitting spirit light particles that faintly illuminated the darkness.
"We're almost there!"
Yin Ershi Si glanced at Li Weiyi. "A word of advice: once inside the cave, try not to use Spiritual Light. Rely on your perception. If you awaken a large swarm of Flying Winged White Spiders, you two are likely to perish within."
Li Weiyi was a man who listened to advice.
His brow dimmed.
Even without light, his current cultivation allowed him to see the figures of the two women within a few meters.
Yao Yin's skin, in particular, stood out even in the darkness.
Li Weiyi asked, "What must we do to pass this trial?"
"It's just the first trial. You don't need to do anything. Just ride this boat safely through the Spider Cave. Normally, the boat will drift downstream and exit the cave in three days. I'll be waiting for you at the exit," Yin Ershi Si replied.
'Is it really that simple?'
How could they enter the fierce insect's territory and hope not to disturb it? It was impossible.
Yin Ershi Si walked to Li Weiyi's side, unfastened the chain connecting the two boats, and said, "Oh, right! The spider silk in the cave is a treasure. You might as well collect some. If you gather enough, you can exchange it for precious medicine."
"I'll leave you here. Good luck."
Yin Ershi Si released spiritual Qi from her body, enveloping the small boat beneath her.
She turned against the current and began rowing back.
Li Weiyi and Yao Yin continued down the Blood River in a smaller, half-sized flatboat, only a few meters long. The surroundings were pitch-black and eerily silent, broken only by the sound of the flowing water.
The underground river passage grew even lower, forcing them to lie flat to pass through.
Li Weiyi could hear Yao Yin's heart pounding faster and faster. He whispered, "I know you have misconceptions about me. But I suggest we avoid killing each other during this trial. If we break the boat, both of us will die here."
Yao Yin replied, "That's exactly what I was thinking! No matter what your intentions are, nothing is more important than our lives. We're rivals, but why can't we outlast the others first?"
"Also, don't be tempted by small advantages that lead to big disasters. Collecting spider silk will definitely alert the Flying Winged White Spiders. We just need to safely pass through the Spider Cave."
"Alright!"
Li Weiyi had just agreed when he sensed something. He sniffed sharply: "What a fragrance... It's so tempting, it makes me want to take risks..."
Yao Yin's teeth itched with fury. She hated him with all her might, convinced he was deliberately teasing her with his words.
Indeed, she possessed a unique natural fragrance that was amplified in the dark, desolate cave.
"It's the scent of medicine. There's a precious medicine nearby."
Li Weiyi sat up abruptly. The low cave suddenly expanded, revealing a scarlet precious medicine growing about ten meters above them.
"It's turned scarlet, meaning this Cistanche is at least five hundred years old."
Li Weiyi channeled his spiritual power to enhance his senses -his ears, eyes, and nose - to their peak. Finding no trace of fierce insects nearby, he leaped upward.
Yao Yin sat up from her reclining position, her cheeks flushed crimson. She realized she had misunderstood him.
But her guilt quickly evaporated, replaced by shock.
At a height of thirty meters, it was impossible for someone at the Spring Surge Realm to reach directly.
Yet the man before her, with spiritual Qi surging beneath his feet, was actually walking on air, as if stepping on invisible stairs.
His movements were so skillful they didn't resemble those of a Spring Surge Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivator at all.
In the past month, Li Weiyi had mastered three new Heavenly Dao and Law Harmony Realm, including "Yellow Dragon Ascending to Heaven."
After taking nine steps in the void, he finally grasped the scarlet Cistanche. It felt slightly warm to the touch.
As he pulled it from the cliffside crevice, Li Weiyi's body plummeted.
Even at the Heavenly Dao and Law Harmony level, Yellow Dragon Ascending to Heaven could only carry him ten meters at most.
The spiritual Qi beneath his feet had dissipated, and Li Weiyi couldn't control his descent.
Yao Yin was startled.
She immediately unleashed the Heavenly Wind Palm Technique, gently pushing out a palm strike that generated a gust of wind to catch Li Weiyi.
"Whoosh!"
Li Weiyi used the wind's momentum to float back onto the ship, holding the nearly 100-jin (100-pounds) scarlet Cistanche.
He smiled and said, "Thank you!"
"I was just saving myself! Who knows if the commotion you caused when you fell would have alerted a swarm of Flying Winged White Spiders?" Yao Yin's delicate face was icy, her expression full of resentment, "Didn't we agree from the start? Don't be greedy for small gains; getting through the Spider Cave safely is the most important thing."
"This isn't a small gain!" Li Weiyi corrected, "This is a hundred pounds of five-hundred-year-old Cistanche, worth nearly a hundred million. Cistanche nourishes yang and replenishes blood. If I consume it all, it could significantly enhance my physical body."
Nearly a hundred million - even for Yao Yin, the Clan Chief's granddaughter, the amount was slightly shocking.
Of course Li Weiyi had to risk it all.
Harvesting this Cistanche would bring him one step closer to raising the seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors to two inches in length.
"You did help out a little just now. I'll give you two pounds later," Li Weiyi said generously, not wanting to owe her a favor.
"Keep it for yourself!" Yaoyin sat back on the boat, her expression troubled, "The medicinal fragrance of this precious medicine might attract the Flying Winged White Spiders. I suggest you throw it away. Greed can be fatal, and I don't want to suffer with you."
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END OF CHAPTER
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